Be Straw Free: Take Action with Each One Reach One approach

This is one simple way we can all work together to reduce the use of disposable straws in our communities:

Each person invites (at least) one restaurant to consider offering straws to customers instead of serving a straw with each drink automatically.

That's it, very simple, very easy and, very effective!

We have heard from some restaurant owners that they are concerned about changing the way they provide service because they are not sure these changes will be welcomed by their patrons, and they say they are much more likely to implement changes if they hear from customers that it's important to them that restaurants use fewer disposable straws.

So, let's tell them!

How to Ask

Let's tell restaurant owners and managers that we prefer to be offered a straw insead of being served a drink with a straw already in it! Don't know how to bring it up? Here is a suggestion of how to do this in 3 simple steps:

1) Order your drinks with "no straw, please."

2) While you are eating at the restaurant, notice how drinks are being served to tables around you. (Are they being served with straws already in them? Or, are straws being offered when drinks are brought to the table?)

3a) If you notice that drinks are being served with straws already in them, you can ask to speak to the owner/manager. You can say something along the lines of: "Hi, I noticed that each drink comes with a straw aleady in it. I am wondering if you would consider having your servers bring the drinks to the table and then offer the customer a straw?" Refer them to this website where they can get more information, connect with other restaurant owners who participate in the project, and gain recognition for their efforts.)

3b) If you see that the restaurant is already giving patrons the option of choosing whether or not to use a straw, that's great! You can still ask to speak to the owner/manager and say something like: "Hi, I noticed that your servers bring the drinks to the table then offer straws to the customers. That's great! We are trying to get more restaurant owners to follow your example. Would you consider listing your restaurant on the Be Straw Free campaign? It's free - and it's a great way to get noticed by people who care about this issue!"

Each restaurant that participates is another restaurant saving thousands of throw-away straws per year, so reaching even ONE restaurant is a way of helping cut back on thousands of straws per year - Good Job!

Share your stories

Tell us how you reached to your local restaurant and businesses about their straws. Email us or share your stories on Facebook.